Major changes to bus services in eastern Enfield get final go-ahead

Changes which will see more bus services for Meridian Water have been agreed but one bus serving Ponders End will be axed

Ponders End Bus Garage (2) — Ponders End Bus Garage

A series of proposed changes to bus routes serving eastern Enfield have been given the final go-ahead by Transport for London (TfL).

Two public consultations ran in January and February this year, in which TfL proposed increasing the number of bus services serving the Meridian Water development in Edmonton, while also axing the 349 serving Ponders End but extending some other bus routes in the area to compensate.

After considering the responses to the two consultations, TfL has now agreed to implement all of the changes affecting Enfield as had been proposed.

At Meridian Water, the changes involve rerouting two buses and replacing them with three other services, by extending their routes.

The W8 currently running from Chase Farm Hospital to Lee Valley Leisure Park will run to Tottenham Hale via Meridian Water. It will stop serving Pickett’s Lock but, to compensate, the 192 will terminate there instead. The 476 from King’s Cross to Northumberland Park is being extended to Meridian Water, with the current 341 instead terminating at Northumberland Park.

The 444, a bus which connects Turnpike Lane and Chingford via the North Circular, will include a diversion through Meridian Water in future. And a new night bus, the N341, will ensure there remains a night service in the area.

In Ponders End, the 349 to Stamford Hill, via Edmonton, will be axed. Instead, the 259 will now extend from Edmonton Green to Ponders End, while the 279 which currently follows the 349 route up until Seven Sisters is now going to terminate at Stamford Hill instead of Manor House, to ensure that bus link still remains.

Between the two consultations, there were 1,354 people who provided responses to TfL’s proposals. While several concerns were raised, particularly around the decision to axe route 349 – with 66% of people answering the consultation question on this route saying they opposed the plan – TfL has decided to go ahead, citing the overall benefits the bus routes shake-up would bring.

Geoff Hobbs, TfL’s director of public transport service planning, said: “We would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation.

“There was broad support for improving bus access to Meridian Water, and the changes we are confirming today will help ensure the area is well connected as it grows. Our aim is to provide a reliable, attractive and sustainable bus network that meets the needs of both existing communities and future residents.

“As with all changes, we will continue to monitor the bus network so that it meets the needs of our customers.”

No timeframe for any of the changes has yet been set out.

With the changes affecting Meridian Water, TfL says it will gradually introduce the alterations “in alignment with occupation of new homes at Meridian Water” and in a “staggered manner”.

TfL adds that all changes will be “clearly communicated in advance of introduction” via TfL’s website, customer communications and on-street information.

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